Apple: 9 Million New iPhones Sold In Most Successful Launch Yet

Apple this weekend sold more than 9 million iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C models, marking what the tech giant called its most successful iPhone launch yet.

Apple did not break out individual sales for each of the new phones but said sales of the higher-end iPhone 5S exceeded initial supply, with many online orders now being scheduled to ship "over the coming weeks."

"This is our best iPhone launch yet -- more than 9 million new iPhones sold -- a new record for first weekend sales," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, in a statement. "The demand for the new iPhones has been incredible, and while we've sold out of our initial supply of iPhone 5s, stores continue to receive new iPhone shipments regularly. We appreciate everyone's patience and are working hard to build enough new iPhones for everyone."

First weekend sales for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C trumped those for the prior-generation iPhone 5, of which Apple sold roughly 5 million during its first weekend on the market.

Apple, following months of speculation, unveiled the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C at a launch event Sept. 10. The iPhone 5S is the higher-end version of the two and includes Apple's new 64-bit A7 chip, a fingerprint reader and an HD FaceTime camera that has new Burst and Slo-Mo features.

The iPhone 5C, meanwhile, touts specs similar to those of the prior-generation iPhone 5 but is less expensive than the iPhone 5S and comes in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, yellow, green and white.

The iPhone 5S is priced at $199 for the 16-GB model, $299 for the 32-GB model and $399 for the 64-GB model. The iPhone 5C is $99 for an 8-GB model and $199 for a 32-GB model. Availability began Sept. 20 in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the U.K.

Both phones run Apple's latest iOS 7 mobile software.

Though Apple didn't disclose individual sales for the iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C, the iPhone 5S was the stronger seller of the two, according to research from mobile analytics firm Localytics. In a blog post Monday, Localytics estimated that Apple has sold 3.4 times more iPhone 5S models than iPhone 5C models in the U.S.

Jeffery Lauria, director of technology at iCorps Technology, a Boston-based solution provider and Apple partner, doesn't anticipate the launch of the new iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C to have a major impact on his business, given the fact that both phones still seem largely geared toward consumers.

Lauria added that the new iPhone 5S fingerprint reader could have a strong business appeal but believes use of that technology could taper off with time.

"From a business perspective, the fingerprint reader does enhance the security of the mobile device, which is a benefit, as we know BYOD is a fast-moving trend and becoming the expectation with more and more companies," Lauria said in an email to CRN. "People will stop using the fingerprint reader as it becomes less effective [and takes] more time to open the phone."

Lauria also noted that, despite Apple's record-setting sales this weekend, the company's "cool factor" seems to be dwindling, as competition from rivals such as Microsoft and Samsung continues to heat up.

"I see it dropping significantly over the next few years," Lauria said of Apple's smartphone market share. "Apple's cool factor is sliding with every release. However, both Android and Microsoft have made significant advancements in both hardware and software over the last few years."